Better Than the Tea Cup Ride

One of the great joys of working at Good Shepherd during the week is the occasional interaction I get to have with the Pre-School and Parent's Day Out program. We have an excellent program for our pre-school age neighbors. Our pre-school was started by Ms. Tiffany about 12 years ago and she has directed it ever since. 3, 4 and 5 year olds who are pre-kindergarten come for a half day for 2,3 or 4 days per week respectively. Each room has a teacher and an assistant. The teachers have at least a degree in elementary or early childhood education. It is one of the top programs in the area.
Our Parents Day Out was begun a year later by Ms. Jen and she has directed that program since. The PDO program is not quite as structured but provides more of a play and learn environment for children who are with us for up to 6 hours per day, four days per week. As with the Pre-school, the reputation of the PDO is excellent. A testimony to both programs is that we have never advertised other than the sign on the street. Word of mouth has carried the attendance for the history of the each. They'll be signing children up for the summer and fall programs in just a few week. Help us with our "word of mouth" advertising.
Something that we on staff "upstairs" all enjoy is sharing stories of our encounters with these wonderful children and the staff that care for them and have become their first teachers outside their homes. We often talk about one particular phrase we heard from a teacher "Friends Don't Bite Friends," which I blogged about here.
The latest phrase we've enjoyed talking about lately is one I heard as I walked by the elevator. It seems one of the classes was going from the Gathering place, where they have their "outdoor" time, back to their classroom. They usually take the stairs but the elevator is an occasional treat. This particular day I overheard this line as the doors closed:

"Stand up. The elevator is not a sit down ride."

I really couldn't make this stuff up.